Trump to meet Putin amid tensions over nuclear deal

Donald Trump is to meet Vladimir Putin amid ongoing tensions over the US leader threatening to pull out of a Cold War-era nuclear deal.

US national security adviser John Bolton said the leaders would meet again in Paris next month following “very comprehensive and productive” talks with officials in Russia.

He said Mr Trump looked forward to the meeting and that arrangements would be made to ensure it took place.

Speaking at a news conference, Mr Bolton also said he had lengthy discussions with the Russian president about alleged meddling in US elections, explaining that it was counter-productive for Moscow.

Kremlin foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov said the meeting between Mr Putin and Mr Bolton was “interesting” but said the American’s presence displayed Washington’s willingness to maintain a dialogue with Moscow.

He said: “The discussion was business-like in nature, it was fairly substantive, I would say it was interesting.

“We view Mr Bolton’s visit as a sign the Trump administration, despite the overall situation with our relations, is ready to maintain dialogue. We also have the same readiness and intention.”

Mr Bolton said he also spoke with Mr Putin about arms control and the US president’s decision to abandon the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, which was drawn up to protect America and its allies in Europe and the Far East, because of alleged violations by Moscow.

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The agreement – signed by Mikhail Gorbachev and Ronald Reagan in 1987 – is meant to prohibit the countries from possessing, producing or testing any ground-launched cruise missiles with a range of 300 to 3,400 miles.